Yaeyama soba is considered as the soul food of people of Yaeyama. (Yaeyama is comprised of Ishigaki, Taketomi, and Yonaguni islands.)  You can taste it at local soba restaurants and those restaurants will be easily found in the google when you search as 八重山 そば Yaeyama Soba and 食堂 local restaurants. In case you have interest in finding those restaurants, here are some good reputed restaurants:

There are also other restaurants which are worthwhile visiting on the island, so I will recommend to find places and a soba menu which you like most.

 

IMG_5525

The soba in the picture above costs ¥400 and it tasted good. I ordered the menu as today’s lunch at the port (ferry) terminal of Ishigaki city. Also the steamed rice ball (the right one) is very popular food in Yaeyama, and in many cases people like to have it together with soba. (Two rice balls cost ¥130)

 

<ingredients and seasonings of steamed rice ball>

  • rice
  • carrot
  • green onion
  • shiitake mushrooms
  • soybean sauce
  • soup stock
  • vegetable oil
  • sweat sake

 

 

IMG_5526

Yaeama Soba is composed of soup, noodles, pork meat, green onion, and sometimes fish cakes on top. People who love more spicy food can use the local pepper or the hot sauce made from peppers and awamori (Okinawa’s local sake).

See the previous post on Yaeyama Soba and Awamori